Venezuela vice-president claims assassination plot

Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's vice-president, claims the government has
uncovered a plot to assassinate him and Diosdado Cabello, head of the
national assembly.

Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas MaduroPhoto: AFP/GETTY

9:03AM GMT 24 Jan 2013

Mr Maduro said groups have been followed for weeks that "have the goal of trying to kill" him and Mr Cabello.

"For that reason, they've said that we're fighting because their macabre and criminal move is to make attempts against our lives – something they won't achieve – and later on try to blame one or the other," he told supporters.

Mr Maduro referred to the alleged plot after announcing he would travel to Cuba on Wednesday along with Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez to see the ailing Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, who underwent cancer surgery more than six weeks ago. The vice president did not provide any evidence or say what sort of attacks the authorities believed to have been planned.

Mr Maduro also did not mention any arrests, but said: "Don't be surprised by the actions that will be taken in the coming days."

A large contingent of police and troops with rifles stood guard while Maduro spoke at an outdoor rally in Caracas.

The vice president and Mr Cabello have often appeared together while Chavez has remained out of sight in Cuba following the operation. Speculation about potential divisions between the two men has arisen, but they have repeatedly insisted they are working together and united.

Mr Maduro said Mr Chavez has gone through a difficult recovery process after the Dec. 11 operation, and that now "he's on the path to a new phase."

Late on Wednesday, Cuban state television showed Mr Maduro arriving in Havana and being greeted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. He made no comments.

Mr Chavez, who was re-elected to another six-year term in October, has not appeared or spoken publicly since he left for Havana on Dec. 10. Government officials have said the 58-year-old president is improving after suffering complications including a severe respiratory infection, but they have not provided specific details about his health.